'I’m actually not that bad': Fyfe remains hopeful of derby recovery

Nat Fyfe has revealed he is still in the frame for Saturday night's derby showdown with West Coast, but looks likely to leave a decision until the eleventh hour.

The Fremantle skipper admitted on Wednesday he was still feeling symptoms of a concussion he suffered in a nasty head clash during last Sunday's match against St Kilda, but was hopeful he could undergo strict cognitive tests by Friday if the symptoms subsided.

The Brownlow medallist's availability for the 49th Western Derby looked grim after he was helped groggily from the ground in the third term at Optus Stadium and missed a light training session with teammates at Cottesloe Oval on Wednesday.

But the 27-year-old gave Dockers fans hope he would recover in time for the 6.10pm bouncedown, barely 18 hours after Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said he was "more unlikely than likely to play".

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"I’ve been sleeping really well," Fyfe told reporters after his teammates took part in the 30-minute session on Wednesday.

"I’ve had a bad concussion before and this is a lot better than that. I’m actually not that bad.

"I can't really say too much at this point ... just see how the rest of the week unfolds [and] do the usual testing.

"You can’t pass the test until you’ve got no symptoms so I won’t be able to sit them until then."

Should Fyfe not get up in time, a host of young Dockers are primed to take his place.

Injured Docker Harley Bennell returned to the track at Cottesloe Oval on Wednesday.Credit:Fremantle Football Club

Renewed optimism among Fyfe's teammates came as they welcomed Harley Bennell back on the training track after an ongoing battle with recurring calf injuries and confirmation talented utility Connor Blakely could return from a pre-season hamstring injury ahead of time for the round six clash with the Bulldogs in Perth.

Doubts over Fyfe didn't dampen off-season signing Reece Conca's enthusiasm of an upset against the reigning premiers after an emerging Dockers midfield group covered their captain's loss to record a gritty five-point win over the fast-finishing Saints.

"We've got guys who can come in and play their role and we've got a system that obviously stacks up," Conca told AFL.com.au on Wednesday.

"Obviously (to see Fyfe concussed) was not the greatest thing ... Nat's an inspirational leader and captain and it was a very tight game at that point."

The former Richmond free agent, whose new teammates elected him into the Dockers leadership group despite not yet debuting for his club, said he spoke with fellow club leaders David Mundy and Michael Walters about lifting their intensity in the final term once Fyfe went off in the third term.

"I think the pressure all around the ground really lifted after Nat went off and the boys responded incredibly well," the 26-year-old said.

"Nat's arguably the best player in the AFL and he is elite at stoppages, but nothing really changed for us ... we still had some super talented guys in there and a really good system.

"Darcy Tucker came in there, Banners (Bailey Banfield) came in, Andy Brayshaw ... they play their role and we got the win."

Conca, who was recruited by the Tigers from WAFL club Perth, said the Dockers had worked on aspects at training that contributed to the close loss on the Gold Coast in round two.

"We learned from the disappointments of last week, we trained it and we executed it this week and got the win," he said.

"There was no coincidence there and I'm really proud of the way the boys responded."

Conca was among a handful of Dockers instrumental through the midfield in the last term against the Saints, and finished with 27 disposals and four centre clearances.